Commentary: Bills target government abuse

By JIM RENACCI
U.S. RepresentativePublished: February 28, 2014 4:00AM

Last year, Northeast Ohioans and Americans everywhere were deeply troubled to learn that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) abused its power by targeting conservative groups and wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on conferences and other activities. Not only did the federal agency violate the public's trust, it infringed on our First Amendment rights.

The Ways & Means Committee began investigating allegations of potential political discrimination nearly three years ago and discovered evidence that conservative groups were targeted to an extent far beyond what was reported by the Inspector General. As part of its ongoing investigation, the Committee requested and reviewed hundreds of thousands of internal IRS documents and interviewed dozens of its employees.

Recently, the IRS published draft rules that would essentially authorize the continued targeting of political groups. Because the Committee's investigation is ongoing, as it has not yet received all of the requested documents, the IRS should halt this rulemaking process. The Committee must be allowed to examine all of the facts surrounding the IRS' repeated breaches of trust before it can move forward with any legitimacy.

The IRS' actions bring to light just how rampant abuse is within this Administration. The American people will not tolerate it, and neither will Congress. That is why House Republicans have dedicated this week to stopping government abuse by considering 12 bills that will enhance transparency and accountability within the federal government and reduce its size and scope.

The Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act is among the bills that we will consider this week. Introduced by Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, this legislation would prohibit the Treasury, including the IRS, from finalizing the proposed rules for one year. This delay will allow the Committee to complete its investigation and provides ample time for a thorough public discussion related to the proposed regulations. Additionally, the House will vote on bills that would require the IRS to disclose to the taxpayer when it has shared their information with another government agency and prevent the IRS from inquiring on an individual's religious, political, and social beliefs. These new taxpayer protections build upon legislation I introduced and the House passed last year that would authorize the IRS to terminate employees who engage in political targeting. I remain committed to ensuring that Americans are not targeted for their political beliefs, and I am hopeful that the Senate and the President will agree with me.

Government abuse is not limited to the IRS' recent actions. For too long, hardworking taxpayers have been forced to foot the bill for wasteful federal programs that have only served to slow our economic recovery. This week, the House will also consider several bills that will rein in out of control spending and reduce burdensome regulations that are hurting our small businesses in Northeast Ohio. For example, we will consider a bill that would require every federal agency to provide taxpayers with an annual report card on all of its programs, including information regarding administrative costs and expenditures for services. We will also vote on the Unfunded Mandates and Transparency Act, a bill that would enhance transparency, accountability, and awareness of federal mandates.

Since coming to Washington, I have remained committed to reducing the size and scope of the federal government, eradicating wasteful spending, and making the government accountable to the taxpayer. I look forward to seeing these bills move swiftly through the legislative process, and I call on the Senate and the Administration to join us in our efforts to stop government abuse.

Contact Rep. Jim Renacci on Facebook (facebook.com/repjimrenacci) and Twitter (twitter.com/repjimrenacci), his Wads-worth office at 330-334-0040 or his Washington office at 202-225-3876.

Want to leave your comments?

If you like the opinions of BuzzKillington, then you are as much a low-life and lunatic as he is. Happy to know that his "partner" finally revealed himself.

onewiseoldman

March 2, 2014 8:50AM

"Salem Communications (NASDAQ: SALM) is an American radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher based inCamarillo, California, targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values."

You should try it wise one.Or keep "researching on dailkos,NPR,moveon.org etc.etc.etc.

Bet you didn't know that hotair looks t all information available,did you.They also citte all information.Of course you wouldn't,your computer only works while leaning left.

Meanwhile 2081,no answers I see.Just continue to blame Bush,it's worked so far,but failure is assured.

onewiseoldman

March 2, 2014 2:08AM

Bams research efforts begin and end within the domain of hot air.com

anonymous_2091

March 1, 2014 11:06PM

Don't sweat the insignificant stuff. When did you first develop your outrage for questionable policy's within the federal government and how much effort do you put into researching the truth?

bam

March 1, 2014 6:53PM

You could answer 2091,or 4064.Anyone care to explain?

bam

March 1, 2014 6:52PM

One question for buzzy:If it is a "phony" scandal why did the IRS say they did it?Then why did Obama say that he would get to the bottom of it?Then why did Lerner take the fifth AFTER she said she did nothing wrong?Then why did Lerner refuse to testify this week until she was gets immunity from prosecution?

Any answer at all buzzy?

anonymous_4064

March 1, 2014 6:22PM

I like a lot of Buzz's opinions at least he has some and I don't see any from you skydiver. I would say you must have a crush on Buzz the way you stalk him on here.

eino

March 1, 2014 5:02PM

anonymous_2091

March 1, 2014 3:47PM

And that's YOUR opinion

Liberal out-of-state Sock Puppet's opinions are weighted at 72% less than those of real posters

anonymous_2091

March 1, 2014 3:47PM

And that's YOUR opinion

skydiver

March 1, 2014 11:42AM

You don't get it do you Buzzo?

NO ONE LIKES YOU OR RESPECTS YOUR OPINION.

skydiver

March 1, 2014 11:41AM

You don't get it do you Buzzo?

NO ONE LIKES YOU OR RESPECTS YOUR OPINION.

BuzzKillington

March 1, 2014 9:30AM

"No you left out the part about the IRS scandal being phony"

It was a known phony scandal the entire time, from day one. Only low info conservative dupes were in the dark on the phony scandals. It's not your fault entirely - stupid people are easily influenced by the right wing echo chamber.

bam

March 1, 2014 8:46AM

Having trouble sleeping buzzy?

No you left out the part about the IRS scandal being phony (Even though they admitted to doing it BEFORE anyone knew!) and you being a low info dupe.You are more like a sheep being led to slaughter and to stupid to recognize the ax.

BuzzKillington

March 1, 2014 12:47AM

You left out the part about the IRS scandal being phony and you being a low info dupe.

bam

February 28, 2014 3:59PM

It is apparent some are totally against governmnet abuse except when it works for them.Just wait until a republican gets in in 2017 a nd all **** breaks loose bacause then the IRS can and will target Democrat groups.It will be fun to watch them blame Bush then!

bam

February 28, 2014 3:56PM

When all else fails cry racism,roadster?

And I suppose you think NPR is open minded?

Yup,pathetic pretty well covers these liberals!

onewiseoldman

February 28, 2014 2:01PM

"Look, just because I got 5 deferrments during the Vietnam war, doesn't mean I can't hawk for the war in Iraq....Dick "I really am a coward" Cheney""

anonymous_2091

February 28, 2014 1:43PM

"You're doing a great job Brownie."

onewiseoldman

February 28, 2014 12:45PM

"Did you know 2091,that the aircraft carrier posted that sign without any knowledge of the Bush administration?I didn't think so."

"the White House later conceded that they hung the banner but still insists it had been done at the request of the crew members."

"In November 2008, Bush indicated that he regretted the use of the banner"

BuzzKillington

February 28, 2014 12:28PM

Why did righty get duped by "unskewed polls", Romney landslide, the Clyde Bunt duping, all the phony scandals and "job creators"?

ULie

February 28, 2014 11:47AM

It's amazing how gullible Lefties are. They worship power crazed totalitarians without ever realizing they are participating in their own demise. They are willing to toss themselves under the bus in support of people who would gladly kill them for a political advantage. It's no wonder that most of the human race has existed for millennia as slaves, they are willing slaves who worship their slave-masters. Pathetic.

roadster

February 28, 2014 10:08AM

NPR has a nice little piece about this and other republican showpiece stunts that are nothing but PR that have no chance of anything. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/02/27/283517280/house-approves-anti-regulatory-bills-with-eye-on-elections

*** it wrong for the IRS to target groups who want to overthrow the government? The republican who thought it was wrong said he was just doing his job. The republican Tea Party anarchist groups complained a lot louder than the Democratic and republican groups that were targeted, but maybe the reason why is that the black president inspired Koch-backed anarchists vastly outnumber people who like a government of by and for the people.

Of course, you'd have to educated enough to understand the differences between civil law and administrative law, and read something besides the tabloids and revisionist histories written by conspiracy theorists who laugh all the way to the bank.

Speaking of which, the mission accomplished sign going up went up without Bush's personal knowledge, but his staff/advisors new about it and passed it. It was part of their misguided narrow cultural belief. Sad that the military thought that it was over, but what breakdown in intelligence led them to that conclusion?

BuzzKillington

February 28, 2014 9:58AM

"WMDs"

bam

February 28, 2014 9:44AM

And here I thought Democrats were all about openness and accountability.